ACA Replacement? Not So Fast

A replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act could take longer than originally suggested, President Donald J. Trump said Sunday.

In a televised interview, Trump predicted that an ACA replacement would not be ready until the end of this year or in 2018. Trump’s statement was a major change from previous vows made by him and Republican leaders that the ACA would be repealed and replaced as soon as possible after the new Congress began its term in January.

The president said that replacing the ACA is proving to be complicated. Despite having few details about how a replacement plan would work, Trump said, “We are putting in a wonderful plan.”

In late January, at Congressional Republicans’ annual policy retreat in Philadelphia, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., established the goal of acting on an ACA repeal bill and replacing some portions of it by the end of March.

However, some Republicans fear a backlash in the 2018 midterm elections if the ACA is repealed without a replacement that would keep insurance for millions who obtained coverage under the law. In addition, insurers would need adequate time to set premiums under a replacement law, industry watchers cautioned.

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at Susan.Rupe@innfeedback.com.

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Susan Rupe is editor in chief, magazine, for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at susan.rupe@innfeedback.com.